[TheForge] OT - Computers

[Ben Barrett]

So I'd like to ammend that, in the way that one welding blanket or screen is
enough for most purposes; and for home use something like the linksys router
should be sufficient, it is a mini-firewall (packet filter) which will
allow port-forwarding,
so parts *can* be exposed for online games or specialized applications which
need 2-way communication, or running a small webserver, etc.
You already [want to] be running a software firewall on each PC,
whether the crappy
built-in one in windoze, or zonealarm, or some such, and Avast and/or
NOD32 do offer
good free anti-virus & scanning stuff.  Google Pack will help you get
outfitted with Firefox
as well as some anti-spyware/scanner thing too, it works well enough.
I can usu. find Symantec's SystemWorks, which I like for windows, for
nearly free after a rebate;
rebates are another issue entirely but follow instructions carefully, nuff said.
LinkSys makes some popular wireless router, as do other companies...
if you or someone you know if up for very minor tinkering, check out
these modifications you can easily upgrade common wifi routers with:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT%3F
Models even cheaper than the LinkSys ones can be upgraded amazingly
well with this stuff,
look at the Buffalo models under Supported Devices.

Two separate firewalls, with a DMZ in between, is common in business
scenarios, and generally in places where an IT budget is found :)  I
don't know the whole audience/readership here... Dan your advice is
excellent, just wnated to provide more context and this DIY option for
anyone interested.  I can further suggest a VoIP phone service, use a
decent cheap headset for excellent sound quality... Skype is easy to
try out, and has a cheap outgoing yearly plan... I'm on a nationwide
unlimited plan with an incoming number, all the extras (like voicemail
fwding to email as an attachment), for just under $10/month.  If your
internet is stable like my cable, it is fabulous.
Anyway, I don't want to get into branding stuff, but I have a referral
code so if anyone wants to check it out, email me off-list please.

One last note -- another reason I suggest home users avoid double
firewall devices, is that if you ever *do* want some outgoing service,
you have to reconfigure multiple devices, and to keep both firewall
devices secure, that task should not be quite as easy as it might
sound.  :)

cheers,

ben

PS - here are some email backup refs:
MS Outlook:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196492
 similar, but tutorial:  http://www.sitedeveloper.ws/tutorials/outlook.htm
 more: http://www.google.com/search?q=backing%20up%20outlook
Lotus Notes:  http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=backing+up+lotus+notes&btnG=Search
Thunderbird:  http://www.mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/profile
  more: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=backing+up+thunderbird+email
and so forth.  If anyone is allergic to Google, you have my apologies.


On 6/24/07, Dan Brewer <danqualman at gmail.com> wrote:
> Question for you what are you using for e-mail. I can walk you through how
> to export your data and import it to another computer /account.
>
> You should run everyday tasks in an account that does not have Admin
> privileges. I use AVAST for my anti-virus software with spybot running in
> the back ground for Trojans and spyware.  And run addaware once a week to
> remove the rest of the scum. This regardless of the type of computer or
> operating system.  If you are running on broadband you should have a
> hardware solution for a router and firewall in place.  These can be found on
> line many places.  Here is one.
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
> 030252&CatId=198
>
> And the firewall
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3
> 032704&CatId=1409
>
> It will depend on how secure you need to keep your data on what type of
> equipment you will need to secure it. If you want to be able to surf and not
> worry about getting a virus of malware, I would get a computer just for
> surfing. You data would then be secure on you good machine that does not get
> uset to just look at the internet.
> There are many way to keep safe.  How you implement the solutions are up to
> you.
>
> Dan in Auburn
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of terry l. ridder
> Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:36 AM
> To: Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT - Computers
>
> hello;
>
> depends on the computer operating system.
> linux, bsd, macosx, or microsoft windows?
>
> linux, bsd, and macosx i can help you out.
> microsoft windows you are on your owwn.
>
> On Sun, 24 Jun 2007, Chris Caswell wrote:
>
> > I have read it is better to run your everyday activities on a user account
>
> > instead of an administrator account, for less vulnerability.  I am
> attempting
> > to do this, but does anyone know if it is possible to transfer mail and
> > address book data from an administrator account to a regular user account?
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> >
>
> --
> terry l. ridder ><>